Xpeng G6: 451 kW charging puts Tesla Model Y under pressure from €42,990

The Xpeng G6 SUV has been made even more appealing. Alongside subtly revised styling, the Chinese brand brings ultra-fast charging and wholeheartedly embraces artificial intelligence. With prices starting at €42,990, it remains keenly priced. Here is what we expect ahead of our test drive.

A near-full battery in under 12 minutes sounds like wishful thinking. Yet that is precisely the claim being made for the new Xpeng G6. In facelifted form, the Chinese SUV can accept up to 451 kW of DC charging power. It should therefore take the battery from 10 to 80% in remarkably little time. That is a European-market record which could make the Tesla Model Y nervous, especially given the competitive pricing.

Stormtrooper looks and minimalism: Xpeng’s styling answer to Tesla

There is no denying that the Xpeng G6 has drawn inspiration from Tesla. However, the Chinese manufacturer has introduced enough distinguishing features to avoid being seen as a copy. Framed by a slim light bar, the clean front end strongly resembles a Stormtrooper’s face. Its sides are just as smooth, with no sharp creases, while the rear receives particularly slender light units.

That futuristic atmosphere continues inside, where the G6 strips the cabin back as far as possible. Everything is extremely minimalist, perhaps even rather dull. There is a straight dashboard, a touchscreen, a digital instrument display, a floating centre console, a panoramic roof and plenty of room. At least the fit and finish are quite good. There is no glovebox, however.

800V charging: how the Xpeng G6 regains 350 km of range in 15 minutes

While its appearance may not be especially inspiring, the Xpeng G6 is a breakthrough at rapid-charging stations. Its 800V platform, capable of accepting up to 451 kW of DC power, makes it almost as convenient to live with as an internal-combustion model. We have already tried it at a motorway service area and the charging speed really is astonishing, particularly as the charging curve barely drops off. Even the Tesla Model Y is left behind.

This equates to almost 350 km of motorway range recovered in a quarter of an hour... The caveat is finding chargers powerful enough to reach the figures claimed by the Chinese manufacturer. Ionity is currently installing stalls capable of delivering up to 600 kW, although they remain exceptionally rare. Patience is therefore needed before ultra-fast charging can finally put an end to concerns about time lost at charging stations.

Xpeng G6 and Tesla Model Y: the numbers compared

Specifications	Xpeng G6 Long Range	Tesla Model Y Long Range
Power	295 hp	Around 300 hp
Range	525 km	609 km
Maximum DC charging power	451 kW	250 kW
Price	€46,990	€46,990

Xmart OS: can Chinese AI really make Tesla Autopilot forgotten?

Xpeng is investing heavily in software to deliver innovative products. The latest G6 consequently benefits from the Xmart OS interface, which can adapt to users’ habits. Enhanced by artificial intelligence, the voice control can handle numerous tasks and improve through over-the-air updates, as can the Xpilot Assist autonomous-driving system. That is just as well, because we found the latter very... open to improvement.

We will tell you everything in the test, as the system’s far-from-reassuring reactions cannot be overlooked. It is not comparable with Tesla Autopilot. In the meantime, the 15.6-inch touchscreen uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, promising polished graphics and impressive smoothness. There are many, very many menus, which can make the interface less intuitive, especially as physical controls are scarce.

The €42,990 headline price: why the G6’s standard equipment makes rivals look silly

This is the Xpeng G6’s other undeniable strength: its particularly attractive pricing, which could appeal to plenty of buyers. The entry-level model, priced at €42,990, is far from stripped back, with a 470 km range and DC rapid charging at up to 382 kW. Its equipment list is also comprehensive and requires no optional extras. That is remarkable when some manufacturers charge for virtually everything.

The specification includes Nappa leather upholstery, heated, massaging and ventilated front seats, autonomous driving, keyless entry and start, a panoramic roof, a 360° camera, 20-inch wheels and a 16-speaker sound system, among other features. The rest of the line-up rises in €4,000 steps: €46,990 for the Long Range version, followed by €50,990 for the 485 hp Performance model...

Would you be ready to take the plunge and leave the Tesla Model Y behind for this Xpeng G6’s ultra-fast charging? Let us know what you think; we will answer in our test, published this Sunday at midday!